Page 42 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

With a pat on Patience’s cheek, the dowager sailed away toward one of the drawing rooms, leaving behind the rustle of her skirts and the scent of roses.

Patience entered the drawing room where everyone had gathered to wait for the dinner announcement. Alex stood with Lord Hawkins, Lord Campbell, and Mr. Templeton. Her mother-in-law had requested a tray in her room, so it was just her and the four men for dinner.

“Ah, here comes the beautiful Duchess of Bedford now.” Lord Hawkins strolled across the room and took her hand, bowing over it expertly.

Patience smiled and offered a curtsy.

Alex edged his friend aside with a glower and took her arm, tucking it into his. “You are a duchess, you do not curtsy to him.”

The three men all burst out laughing. “Bedford, I never thought I’d see the day you married, let alone become a besotted, jealous husband.” Mr. Templeton slapped Alex on the back.

“I am neither besotted nor jealous.” He looked down at Patience. “Would you like a sherry before dinner?”

She shook her head. Was he besotted and jealous? Not likely. Ever since his return, she’d felt him holding back from her. Her young Alex had become a cautious, controlled, older Alex. A man of whom she was not too sure of her own feelings.

The five of them chatted easily until Coombs announced dinner. Alex escorted her to the dining room and pulled out her chair. She was enjoying his friends’ company. She hadn’t much exposure to gentlemen of the ton, and she found these three to be quite entertaining. It seemed their favorite topic of conversation was teasing her husband.

Mr. Templeton took the seat next to her, and immediately began questioning her about her cousin, Suzanna. Interesting, that.

…

After Patience had retired for the night, Alex settled in the large leather chair in the library, and propped his feet up on his desk. He held a glass of brandy, swirling the brown liquid around. Hawk, Cam, and Templeton sprawled in various chairs throughout the room, also holding glasses.

“The duchess and I are leaving the day after next for London. I’ve already sent a message to the War Department that Loverly has been spotted here. I took Patience on a picnic today for the dual purpose of enjoying some time together and surveying the area to see if anything was amiss.”

“Not the best of ideas to expose your wife to that, Bedford.”

Alex waved his hand. “I had two pistols with me, and unbeknownst to her, two footmen following us. She was well protected.” He dropped his feet and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he regarded them. “However, that is what I want to speak to all of you about before you take off for London tomorrow.

“What worries me is Loverly being here the day we got married. Was he here for that purpose? Had he learned about it somehow and came to threaten me through my wife, or was it happenstance that he showed up here on our wedding day?”

Hawk stood and refilled his glass. “I’m leaning toward him coming here on purpose to get a look at your wife. The announcement was in the papers of the day and time. What other reason would he have? But in any event, what do you want us to do?”

“Once we return to London, I will be attending some social events with my wife. She deserves a little bit of entertainment, but with having to work with the Home Office and the War Department to catch Loverly, I won’t always be available. I will also want someone with her every time she leaves the house until that man is caught.”

“Will you be telling her what’s going on?” Templeton downed the last of his drink and shook his head when Hawk held up the decanter.

“No. I prefer she not worry about it. I don’t think he’s foolish enough to come after her, but on the other hand, everything he’s done so far has smacked of stupidity. In any event, I want to make sure she is watched.”

Hawk took his seat again. “Her Grace does not seem to be a simpleminded woman to me. Won’t she be a bit curious as to why we’re always about?”

Alex nodded. “That’s where I expect you all to use the charm you’ve been practicing on the ladies all these years. I am certain you can keep an eye on her without her becoming suspicious.”

“I have a question,” Cam said. “Whether you admit it or not, you are a tiny bit possessive of the duchess. If we keep close tabs on her, will we be meeting you in the boxing ring at Gentleman Jim’s?”

“Or on a field of honor at the crack of dawn?” Templeton smirked.

“It’s very simple. Keep your eyes on her and your hands off. Then we won’t be meeting either place.”

He scowled when all three laughed, then slapped his hands on his thighs and stood. “I will leave you now. I wish you a safe journey tomorrow, and I will see you in London.” He strode across the room and hurried upstairs to his bedchamber. Maybe he could use his persuasive skills to lure Patience into his bed.

He quickly removed his jacket, waistcoat, and cravat, then knocked on the door separating their rooms.

“Yes?”

Good, she was still awake. She sat up in bed, a candelabra alongside her to provide light for the book she

was reading.